To mitigate the effects of atmospheric turbulence on optical wave propagation and improve indoor simulation accuracy, this study systematically reviews the theoretical and technological advancements in atmospheric turbulence simulation based on spatial light modulators（SLMs）. First, the phase modulation principle of liquid crystal spatial light modulators（LC-SLMs）is analyzed. Subsequently, turbulence phase screens are generated using Zernike polynomial methods, Fourier transform spectral inversion, and subharmonic compensation techniques to achieve high-precision turbulence simulation. The analysis demonstrates that SLM technology offers significant advantages, including real-time tunability, high modulation accuracy, and compatibility with multi-wavelength environments, making it effective for applications such as optical communication performance evaluation, adaptive optics correction, and imaging quality optimization. Future improvements in liquid crystal device performance, refresh rates, and multi-physics coupling technology are expected to further enhance the realism and practicality of turbulence simulation.